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Gentle Restoration

One the way to church one morning, I was whining about something to my husband. As he patiently listened to my heart, Jules was listening too. When I paused, she said, “You often talk to me about the dangers of comparing my life to someone else’s. Do you think you are doing that right now?”

We have learned over years, that the Bible is so applicable to all of our relationships. Those pesky verses that convict us on how we relate to people, apply to our interactions with our children too.

Galatians 6:1 “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.”

My 13 year old daughter has been experiencing gentle restoration when she sins. In turn, she was able to gently restore me when I was caught in sin. I was silenced (almost…I admit, I still had to get a few more words in). There was no way I could have responded in defensiveness to her rebuke.

Eventually we arrived at church. As we began to worship God in all His holiness, the Holy Spirit used her words to bring conviction to my heart. I wept, as I confessed my sin of ungratefulness and my pride-filled-spirit during the car ride. I wept, as I received the freely offered forgiveness of my Savior.

Friends, we can be simultaneously gentle and consistent in our parenting. These are not mutually exclusive. And the behavior we model, is the behavior they will display. Praying for you as you love your families today!